Chromosomal Biotypes of Adhatoda vasica Nees. Growing in the Eastern Part of India

Adhatoda vasica Nees, an well known indigenous drug plant of India, was collected from different regions of the eastern part of India. These places of collection differ as regards edaphic and climatic conditions. Six chromosomal biotypes have been encountered when studying these collections. The chromosomal biotypes differ in structure and sometimes in number of chromosomes, which suggests that there has been an evolution of cytotypes within this species, brought about by translocation, fragmentation, deletion etc. as well as by polyploidy or aneuploidy. These chromosomal changes have probably made the cytotypes best suited to their natural environments, where they normally grow. It is expected that these chromosomal differences are also related to the quantitative anatomical characters and to the quantity and quality of chemical substances available in this species.